Game Predictions: SJU/Temple, UCLA/Stanford

Many think
that St. Joe's locked up a tourney bid by beating Xavier yesterday.. but
I'm not so sure. If Temple wins, the committee may be reluctant to
give the A10 a third bid, especially in light of the WCC already getting
3 teams in. Either way, this should be an extremely close and
competitive game. Both of their previous meetings were decided by a
single point.. and there's no reason not to expect a hard-fought, neck
and neck game throughout. This is a must watch game.. but unfortunately
most won't see it.

Prediction: Saint Joseph's

#11
Stanford (26-6) at #2 UCLA (30-3)

6:00
PM CBS

Some have
the perception that conference tournaments don't matter for Top 25
teams, but extreme effort and a high level of play can be expected in
the Pac-10 title game. Stanford is still bitter about their
controversial OT loss to the Bruins just 10 days back.. and is hungry to
exact revenge. Considering UCLA is the #2 team in the country and the
game is in LA, its a testament to the respect Stanford has that they're
only 3 point underdogs. The Brook Lopez/Kevin Love matchup is as good as
you'll find in college basketball.

Prediction: UCLA

Boise
State (24-8) vs New Mexico State (21-13)

9:00
PM ESPN2

Its
certainly been a disappointing year for the WAC.. no serious at-large
contenders and an eventual champion that might be seeded below the likes
of Austin Peay, Cornell, Belmont, etc. New Mexico State has been playing
good ball of late though, winners in 10 of 11, and they get to host the
Championship game. Due to the home-court advantage, the Lobos are
heavy 7 point favorites. Based on how other non-neutral final
games have gone (American over Colgate, USD over Gonzaga, etc), its a
no-brainer to go with the home team here.

Prediction: New Mexico State

Other
Big Games:

UNLV vs
BYU - The MWC Title game (BYU)

Akron
vs Kent State - The MAC Title Game.. can Akron steal a bid? (Kent
State)

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About Shawn Siegel

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Shawn Siegel created CollegeHoops.net (formerly collegehoopsnet.com) back in the summer of 2002, and it has since grown into the web's largest independent college basketball site, visited by over 1,000,000 visitors per year. Shawn is responsible for the CHN Top 50,Bracketology projections (he is ranked the #1 Bracketologist over the last 4 years), as well the NBA Mock Draft.

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After graduating from Washington University and Washington University Law School before, Shawn passed the New Jersey Bar exam but no longer practices Law. For more on his background, visit hisLinkedIn profile.

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